TELECAST TO AIR LIVE FROM MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGASSunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network

Encino, CA (March 29, 2016) – This morning, producers and executives of the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards participated in a press conference call to announce several exciting moments on this year’s show, to be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Participating in the call were Barry Adelman, Executive Producer, R.A. Clark, Executive Producer, Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music and Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, CBS Specials, Music and Live Events. Discussions on the call included their plans and insights for this year’s ceremony, surprises in store for fans, as well as details regarding the presentation of the Tex Ritter Award to music icon Dolly Parton.

Miranda Lambert, six-time reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, current three-time nominee and the only female nominee for Entertainer of the Year, will perform with the legendary Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Keith Urban, current three-time ACM Award nominee and this year’s Mae Boren Axton Award recipient, will perform “Tush” on the 51ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. Also, Keith Urban, will perform his new single, “Wasted Time,” live on the broadcast.

Highlights from the call included:

- This year’s ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year winner, Kelsea Ballerini, will be joined by pop superstar, Nick Jonas for a must-see performance- New Orleans rising star, Trombone Shorty, will duet with one of the show's biggest acts- Actor Tom Hiddleston and ACM Nominees Maddie & Tae added to the lineup of previously announced presenters, which includes Miss AmericaBetty Cantrell, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Kiefer Sutherland and Cole Swindell

The 51st Academy Of Country Music Awards, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, is produced for television by dick clark productions. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events, visit www.ACMcountry.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at @ACMawards for more immediate updates.